Having impressed the team on several of its training camps this year, the 24 year old Troels Vinther has been given a big opportunity with a one year contract to the Saxo Bank-SunGard team.
The rider has long been seen as one of the most promising young Danish riders, winning national junior titles and taking the mountains competition in the 2009 Tour of Denmark.
He competed with the Glud & Marstrand – LRØ team this season, winning the GP Herning and a stage in the Circuit des Ardennes, and also netting second on two stages plus sixth overall in the Flèche du Sud. He was fourth in the 1.1-ranked Stad Zottegem in August.
“When you look at my results this year, I feel I have proven that I can excel at this level,” he said. “But proving yourself and to actually sign a pro contract is surely not the same thing, so this deal means a lot to me. It has been my goal for the last couple of years, so of course I'm thrilled that I now get the opportunity to keep developing on a team of this scale.”
Riis will seek to develop his career, guiding Vinther in a similar way to how he developed fellow Dane Jakob Fuglsang. He’s aware that it’s a little soon to know what kind of rider he will be, but is keen to start the process and see how things work out.
“I have had my eyes on Troels for quite some time, and now I think he deserves a chance to ride at the very top level,” he said. “I really believe he is ready to take the next step in his career. He is a proven winner and he is a solid all rounder, but at the same time I also see a potential for him to grow as a rider. So we look forward to start working with him.”
He has already met some of the team at training camps this year, and will get the chance to be introduced to the other riders and staff members this winter. One of the other newcomers is fellow Dane Chris Juul Jensen, who signed a two year deal in August.